Effects to Agriculture
Beneficial Insects
Many insects may affect agriculture, but not all insects are pests. Some feed on potential pests and help farmers with their crop growth and production of crops.
There are generally 2 types of this kind of insect.
Ladybirds, for example, are the most common predatory beetle and feed on aphids and reduce their numbers. This in turn helps farmers with their plants as there are less aphids that ruin their crop harvests.
An Australian species of this insect are Coccinella transversalis, which is native to Australia.
Another example is the glossy shield bug. It feeds on caterpillars such as the helicoverpa. It is glossy brown in colour and is often found in summer.
Many insects may affect agriculture, but not all insects are pests. Some feed on potential pests and help farmers with their crop growth and production of crops.
There are generally 2 types of this kind of insect.
- PREDATORS - This type will feed on pests, called prey, and will attack and eat them
- PARASITES - This type will lay their eggs onto an insect, called the host, and then the larvae will hatch and feed off the host, causing the potential pest to die
Ladybirds, for example, are the most common predatory beetle and feed on aphids and reduce their numbers. This in turn helps farmers with their plants as there are less aphids that ruin their crop harvests.
An Australian species of this insect are Coccinella transversalis, which is native to Australia.
Another example is the glossy shield bug. It feeds on caterpillars such as the helicoverpa. It is glossy brown in colour and is often found in summer.
Detrimental Insects
Some insects damage a farmer's crops and spread disease. They are regarded as pests. They are a hazard in food and crop production, are parasitic livestock and are a nuisance to humans.
An example of a pest in Australia is the Silverleaf Whitefly. It is a threat to soybeans and navy beans in areas such as Queensland and Northern New South Wales.
Another species of pest is the Helicoverpa Caterpillar. It will attack all plant parts including the leaves, terminals, buds, flowers and pods. High populations of this species in young crops will have a big impact on the yield and harvest maturity.
Some insects damage a farmer's crops and spread disease. They are regarded as pests. They are a hazard in food and crop production, are parasitic livestock and are a nuisance to humans.
An example of a pest in Australia is the Silverleaf Whitefly. It is a threat to soybeans and navy beans in areas such as Queensland and Northern New South Wales.
Another species of pest is the Helicoverpa Caterpillar. It will attack all plant parts including the leaves, terminals, buds, flowers and pods. High populations of this species in young crops will have a big impact on the yield and harvest maturity.